Woodsfeld Kiwanis Club’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner project saw
235 individuals served a hearty Thanksgiving meal - delivered to
their doors. This is the largest number of persons served since
the project was started about 20 years ago. It is not only club
members who take part, but Key Club and Builder’s Club members
and many volunteers. Seated front from left are Key Club members
Kara Watters, Lizzie Casto, Laken Zwick, Sarah Smith, Kelly
Dougherty and Kassandra Lee. Second row: Melissa Rubel, former
Key Club member Michael Paulus, Keenan Hamilton, Alex Haney
Dylan Brown and former Key Club member Brittany Paulus. Third
row: Builder’s Club member Maddie Craig, Anna Dixon, Jeannie
Dixon, Pandora Neuhart, Cindy Schumacher, Kris Atkinson and
Melissa Smithberger; fourth row: Tracey Craig, Ruth Workman,
former Key Club member Nicole Gallagher, Pam Claus, Pat
Phillips, Karen Binford, Nikki Baker, Bryan Perkins, Rusty
Atkinson and Noah Atkinson. In back are Tracey Craig, Andy
Copley, Bruce Watters, Ed Paulus, Roger Claus, Dan Lollathin,
Bill Moore, Dave Phillips, Adam Atkinson, Don Pollock and Chris
Williams. Not pictured is Mark Forni, who is one of those who
delivers dinners to elderly and homebound countians. Several
downtown merchants contribute heavily with paper products, fruit
and other items used for the turkey dinner project.
Photos by Arlean Selvy

Shown with the pies is Patricia Phillips.

Shown
are Jeanie Dixon who cooks the meals with Kiwanians Ed Paulus
and David Phillips, event chairs.

In other business, Linda Masters, health department director,
approached officials about opting out of the health insurance
plan currently held by the county; and Sheriff Chuck Black
reported on a proposed policy change.

Black told commissioners he has drafted a policy which dictates
that persons who are incarcerated will reimburse at least some
of the cost incurred to house them.

Black said he expects to put the policy into effect in January.
A detailed draft was not available, but according to Black,
reimbursement would be based on income.

In a related matter, Black talked about upgrading the upstairs
jail dormitory. He said this will allow 10 more prisoners to be
housed. He noted, too, that an exterior fire escape is needed.

“We have to invest to save and eventually make money,” said
Black.

Black said about $3 million has been spent on outside housing
since the jail closed.

If the policy is enacted, Black will appoint a reimbursement
administrator.

Linda Masters said that the six employees of the health
department want to opt out of the Health Plan and sign up with
Medical Mutual of Ohio for health insurance. After discussion,
officials approved a motion to allow the change.

Permission was also given for Susan Davis, AmeriCorp worker for
Positive Balance, to move her office from the Black Walnut
Center to the former county home on Moore Ridge Road.
Voting yes were commissioners John Pyles and Tim Price while
Commissioner Carl Davis abstained.

I sometimes wonder if it’s me or not. For some reason or another
for the last several mornings I have gotten up and looked out
the window expecting to see snow on the ground. I wonder; do I
like snow? Like a sore thumb. Or does it give a hint of snow?
Either way it is coming sooner or later.

I know many of you remember Thanksgiving in 1950. The year of
the big snow. We owned a little Studebaker, one that looked like
it was coming and going at the same time and now I can’t even
spell it. When I made my way to the back of our barn after the
snow, it was completely covered with snow. To get out to the old
Route 40 when it finally cleared, a dozer pushed snow and pulled
me out to the main road. Even at that I drove back to LoganCounty
with chains on my trusty Studie that would get stuck if someone
put a snowball in front of the back wheel.

The dozer owner really did a job. He pulled over 30 people who
were stranded on the highway to our little town where they were
safe. The worst part was that university up north beat OSU in
the snow bowl. On the other hand, eight out of nine here of late
for the Buckeyes ain’t bad.

If you are able to tune in RFD on your TV you maybe get a treat
if you enjoy watching the Rose Parade on New Year’s. Last year
they carried the parade, free of commercials. What a joy to
watch, although it hustled you to get something to eat out of
the fridge without missing some of the parade. I hope they do
the same this year.

I understand this year the FFA is going to have a float in the
parade for the first time. From what I heard sponsors are
bringing the National FFA officers, 52 state presidents and
other award winners to the parade. Shows you how important some
folks regard the FFA organization.

I probably shouldn't share this story but I read it in the
latest Reader’s Digest and it struck my funny bone and perhaps
has a bit of truth, I’ll shorten it a bit.

This town was over run with squirrels that caused a lot of
trouble being pests. The mayor of the town had cats brought in
to take care of the problem. This worked for a while then the
cats started causing problems so he got rid of the cats. The
squirrels came back.

The hardware store trapped all the squirrels and released them
out of town. Sure enough, somewhat later the squirrels returned.

Finally the church came up with an idea that saved the day. They
brought in all the squirrels, baptized them and made them
members of the church. Now the squirrels only show up on
Christmas and Easter.

It’s kind of funny sometimes how something can bring back things
that happened years ago.

The other evening I was in the big chair watching TV. For some
reason I was very thirsty and water wasn’t doing any good. I had
drunk my ration of Dew for the day. I thought maybe cold milk.

I remembered I had milk morning and evening except sometime
during the winter when the old cows only produced enough milk
for our customers. This was when I learned to eat oatmeal
without milk.

Most of the milk was warm. Most of the time Mom had strained the
milk and bottled what was needed, ten cents a quart, I would
drink a big glass or more of warm milk morning and evening. In
fact, I really did not know what cold milk was like. Cool maybe
not cold. We carried our lunch to school, no cafeteria. Okay, we
may have had a thermos but not cold. I’ve had spells of drinking
milk from time to time and even kind of like drinking the super
skim milk. I remembered I hadn’t had any milk for some time.

Relying on my wisdom I thought why not milk? I went to the
fridge and poured me a glass of milk and on the way back to my
easy chair I swiped a couple of those round things with a hole
and covered with that white powdery stuff. Esther had bought
them for herself the other day.

What a treat! I had kind of forgotten how good a cold glass of
milk really was. In fact, I think I’ll quit writing and get me a
glass. I think there are still some of those round things left.

I hope you didn’t eat too much turkey and now what are you doing
with all that’s left over?

See you in church? Plenty of room.

The ability to say “no” is one of the keys to a safe life as
well as a long and happy one.

Members of the American Blonde d’Aquitaine Cattle Association
from 10 sates converged on
MonroeCountyOct.
9 to hold their annual membership meeting.

Hosted by Aaron and Charlene Miller of Edelweiss Farm, and Brad
and Jane Miller of Hope Ridge Healthy Beef Farm, the three-day
event included election of officers and at least two decisions
the group felt to be of importance to membership.

American Blonde d’Aqui-taine Association directors met in
conjunction with the annual meeting and made a decision to print
and distribute a newsletter twice a year. In addition, a
membership directory will be published in April.

Members accepted the offer of Clayton and Barbara Bryant to host
the 2010 annual meeting at their farm in
Andalusia,
Alabama.

Featured speakers at the Oct. 10 business meeting held at
Grace’s Banquet Hall, Clarington, were Marty Clark, Washington
County Career Center, who spoke on the value of business
planning and analysis for those involved in agriculture; and
Betsy Anderson, district representative for the Ohio Farm
Bureau, who spoke about Issue 2, recently passed by voters.

Prior to the meeting, donuts and coffee were provided by
Mellott’s Bakery, Clarington.

Lunch featured
MonroeCounty grown Blonde Beef, prepared by the
Ladies of Eastern Star and served at the Clarington Masonic
Lodge.

Following the meeting, members and guests toured three farms in
the area where the Millers raise their Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle
and light refreshments were served at the Miller home on Mellott
Ridge. The group traveled to Ye Olde Alpha Restaurant in
Wheeling
for the evening meal.

Tours
continued on Sunday morning, Oct. 11, concluding with a chili
lunch at the Brad and Jane Miller home on Hope
Ridge.

Brad Miller partners with his father Aaron Miller in raising the
Blonde cattle. They are assisted by Craig Miller, Brad’s
brother.

“The weather was perfectly beautiful,” said Charlene Miller,
noting visitors were impressed with the fall foliage.”

“I know we will remember this meeting very fondly, especially
the views of the Blonde cattle, beautiful hills and fall
colors,” said one association member.

Another member of the association made note that MonroeCounty
hills “are well suited for the muscular development of the
Blonde d’Aquitaine Cattle.”

Holly
Sims, manager of the Red Head gas station, South Main St., Woodsfield, points out the
damage on the door jamb as perpetrators made entry into the
business Saturday night.

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer

A breaking and entering and an attempted breaking and entering
were reported Sunday, Nov. 29 to the Woodsfield Police
Department.

According to Holly Sims of the Red Head gas station,
unidentified persons broke into the business through a basement
door Saturday night.

Perpetrators attempted several entry points at the Red Head.
Entrance was made through the basement door after a padlock and
eyebolt were dislodged from repeated kicking. The door jamb and
surrounding boards were severely damaged during the break-in. An
entry attempt on the north side of the building was evidenced by
a shattered door knob. Screens were also cut on the front
windows of the business. Another section, which covered a window
in the back of the building, was splintered, but entry there
could not be made. The perpetrators left a door unlocked when
they left the premises.

Since the business has been closed, there appears nothing has
been taken.

According to Sims, this is the second time in several months
that an attempt to enter the building at night has been made.
The last time entry was not made but two different tennis shoe
prints remain on the basement door from that attempt.

An attempt was also made at read more in the MonroeCounty
Beacon's 12-3-09 edition

Kirt Sloan, manager at Riesbeck’s Food Market, Woodsfield,
delivers $3,300 to Warm the Children coordinator Pandora Neuhart
for the Warm the Children program. So far this year, the program
has served over 300 children. The money is especially
appreciated at this time as funding is low and there are many
more applications from needy families who are seeking warm coats
and shoes for their children. Riesbeck’s raised the cash through
a special Warm the Children barbecue held in October in the
store’s parking lot. The annual barbecue features grilled
sausage and steak sandwiches and is held annually.
Photo by Martha Ackerman

HILTON “PETE” CLINE Hilton “Pete” Cline, 87, of Polk, died peacefully at
his residence on Nov. 23, 2009. He was born Jan. 21, 1922 in
Woodsfield, a son of the late Alonzo and Arena Highman Cline.

He has been a resident of the
Ashland
area since moving there in 1939. He had worked at Donley Feed
and Seed in the mill as a feed grinder and delivery person for
25 years. He retired from Ashland Agri Mark where he worked as a
grain terminal operator. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air
Force serving during WWII.

He was a member of the
PolkUnited
MethodistChurch, where he had
served as Sunday School Superinten-dent. He had also served on
the Polk Village Council and served as Mayor of Polk for many
years. He had been a volunteer with the Polk-Jackson-Perry Fire
Dept. and was a member of the Polk Lions Club. He helped
organize the Polk Little League and Pony League Baseball teams
and was a Little League coach for 20 years. He enjoyed watching
all kinds of sports and enjoyed gardening.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an
infant granddaughter, Lori Cline and five brothers, Kenneth,
Denzil, Eddie, Herbert and Robert Cline.

Friends were received Nov. 24 and 25 until time of service at
the Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home, with Rev. Cheryl Roshon
officiating. Burial was in AshlandCountyMemorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart
Association, Great Rivers Affiliate,
P.O. Box 163549,
Columbus, Ohio43216-3549 or to
Hospice of North Central Ohio,
1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland, Ohio44805.

Online condolences may be made at www.dpkfh.

NORMA J. WAGNERNorma Jean Sills Tulip Wagner, 80,
Cambridge, died Nov. 23, 2009 at
MariettaMemorial
Hospital. She was born June 16, 1929
in Byesville, a daughter of the late William and Emma Watkins
Sills.

She was employed with Champion Spark Plug for 20 years; also
worked at two local nursing homes and several restaurants. She
enjoyed bowling, bingo, ceramics and was an avid NASCAR fan.

Surviving are two sons, Robert L. Jr. (Tammi) Tulip of
Woodsfield, William L. Wagner of Cambridge;
a daughter, Gerri A. Tulip of
Sharon, Pa.; a brother, Wilbur (Bud) Sills of
Columbus; two sisters, Bertha Rossiter of New Concord, Bonnie
Hensley of Byesville; three grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
first husband, Robert L. Tulip in 1958; her second husband,
Lewis F. Wagner in 1996; three brothers, James, Homer and
Thomas; three sisters, Mary Ann, Marjorie Lou Sills and Opal
Moore; and her eldest daughter Catherine E. Tulip.

Friends were received Nov. 27 at Black-Epperson Funeral Home,
Bysville, where services were held Nov. 28. There was no
graveside service.

Condolences may be made to www.blackeppersonfuneralhomes.com.

LUELLA LAMBINGLuella Anna Ruth Lambing, 77, died Oct. 1, 2009 in
Country Club Manor, Steubenville, following a
lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 18, 1931 in Steubenville, a daughter of the late Abraham
F. and Leona Gardner Leasure.

Surviving are her son, Paul R. “Rick” Lambing, Jr. of
Steubenville; two sisters, Jean (Virgil) Ritchie of
Sardis, Marlene (Lloyd) Lohr of Fly; a brother, Rev. Charles W.
(Dr. June Ruff) Leasure of Barnesville; an uncle, Clyde E.
Gardner of Tuscon,
Ariz.; seven nephews and a niece;
and many cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Paul R. Lambing, Sr., whom she married Aug. 3, 1948 and
he died Oct. 11, 1988; and a brother, Harlan “Pete” Leasure.

At her request there was no visitation. Private funeral services
were held at Union Cemetery Chapel,
Steubenville
on Oct. 3, with Rev. Harry Knight officiating.

HILBERT LEE AULT
Hilbert Lee Ault, 77,
228 South Main St., Woodsfield, died
Nov. 24, 2009 at his home. He was born April 6, 1932 in Cameron,
a son of the late Stephen Douglas and Rachel Agnes Ady Ault.

He was the former owner of Ault Automotive, Barnesville; was a
member of the Bush Church of Christ,
Malaga; was a veteran of the U.S. Army
and U.S. Navy serving during the Korean Conflict.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
wife, Eleanor Jean Kibble Ault on July 22, 2004; four brothers,
Floyd, Lester, Ralph and Stanley Ault; and two sisters, Vera
McConnell and Erma Jones.

Private visitation and services were held Nov. 27 at Watters
Funeral Home, Woodsfield, with Dick Harris officiating. Burial
was in CameronCemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at
www.wattersfuneralhome.com.

URBAN W. WEBER
Urban W. “Midge” Weber, 90, Woodsfield, died Nov. 26, 2009, at WoodsfieldNursing &
Rehabilita-tionCenter.
He was born Oct. 20, 1919 in Woods-field, a son of the late
Charles and Matilda Fisher Weber.

He was a retired rural mail carrier for the United States Postal
Service. Midge had worked at the Wright Patterson Air Force base
as an aircraft mechanic prior to WWII. During WWII he was in the
Army Air Corp on the Liberty Ship in the Asiatic Pacific
Theater, receiving four Bronze Stars.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his
first wife, Lois Jean Wester-man Weber in 1974, and his second
wife, Lavona A. (Bonnie) Weber in 2009; three brothers, Raymond,
Philip and Leighton Weber; and three sisters, Edith and Clara
Weber and Viola Henning.

Friends were received Nov. 28 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where services were held Nov. 29, with Rev. Susan
Lehosky officiating. Burial was in OaklawnCemetery, Woodsfield.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.

EDNA H. RUFENEREdna H. Rufener, 69, Enon, died Nov. 29, 2009 in the
Hospice of Dayton. She was born in
Dayton, the daughter of the late Thomas
B. “Ham” and Ellen Louise (Reeder) Hamilton.

She was employed as a non-profit consultant with a variety of
agencies.

Surviving are her loving husband of 46 years, Fred; a son, Craig
Rufener of Enon; a daughter, Becky (Matt) Weida of Canal
Fulton; a grandson, Kenneth Frederick Weida; a brother, David
Hamilton of Florida; mother-in-law, Edna M. Rufener of
Clarington; brother-in-law, Roger Rufener of Clarington; a
nephew and wife, Matthew and Jenn Hamilton and his mother, Carol
Hamilton; three nieces, Kathy Armbruster, Stevie and Amin
Rufener; lifelong best friend, Judy Coppock Gex of New York; and
“the other kids”, Leslie, Sue, Jeff and Dave.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
father-in-law, Raymond E. Rufener.

A gathering of family and friends was held Dec. 2 in the
Belton-Stroup Funeral Home,
Fairborn, and until time of funeral
services on Dec. 3, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jeff Mohr
officiating. Burial will follow in the EnonCemetery.